CAMP NEAR ST. JOHNS, Sept. 20, 1775. SIR-I have the pleasure to acquaint you of the arrival of the New York Artillery Company, and every instant I look for a considerable reinforcement of other troops. The Paymaster-general has also arrived, with cash. Be so good as to send off a trusty Indian or Canadian to the Caughnawaga Castle with the string of wampum (which the bearer will deliver you) and the following message: "Brethren, when I had the pleasure of seeing your chiefs, in my camp near St. Johns, after our treaty of friendship and neutrality was concluded, I told them there was a present from the twelve United Colonies for the Caughnawaga tribes, consisting of £400, York money; but that my treasurer was not arrived with the money; that I expected him soon, and promised to let you know when he came. Conformable to my promise, I take the first opportunity of acquainting you that the money is ready, and I desire to know when you will come to receive it." You have, I suppose, appointed a trusty Commissary. He must keep his accounts with the utmost exactness, and be upon his oath, as every ration of provisions must be accounted for. Should Colonel Warner want a little cash for his people, I can now give it to him. I hope there is the strictest discipline kept up, that our friends may have no reason to complain of us. I make no doubt that you have a good lookout towards La Prairie. Should regular troops venture into those roads, I think your woodmen will give a good account of them. Should you have any accounts of their bringing artillery with them, it will be necessary to fell timber across the roads. Tell Major Elmore that I desire Lieutenant Sheppard, who acted as officer of marines on board of one of the vessels, may come this day to our camp-he being wanted here as an evidence with respect to Captain Smith. I would wish to see Major Brown, if he can be spared for a few days. I have taken your corned beef, which you shall be reimbursed for, with thanks. I wish for a return of the people under your command, particularly Major Brown's party, as, perhaps, there may be some missing. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Col. BEDEL, north side St. Johns. RICHARD MONTGOMERY. CAMP SOUTH SIDE ST. JOHNS, Sept. 24, 1775. SIR-It is impossible to send you a marqué. Perhaps, by applying to some of the regiments you are acquainted with you may get one. Mr. Fink will deliver you twenty half Johanneses, amounting to sixty-four pounds seven shillings, for which he has given his receipt. By the General's order, JOHN MACPHERSON, Aid-de-Camp. Col. BEDEL, north side St. Johns. CAMP SOUTH SIDE ST. JOHNS, Sept. 25, 1775. SIR-I send to acquaint you that the garrison have a considerable party bringing timber out of the woods not far from your advanced guard. We judge they are preparing to lay the ways for a vessel ready to be launched. Pray, don't let them carry on this work undisturbed. Their covering parties are regulars, I think. I have information from a prisoner, who was taken attempting to go into the fort on your side, that he carried verbal orders for the garrison to attempt an escape to Quebec. For God's sake, have an eye over them, and send an express to Allen, if he be not yet arrived. It might prevent the success of the Kennebec expedition, should this garrison get down safe. We have a battery of two twelve-pounders just ready to play on the ship-yards with hot shot. Our mortar-battery will be ready before night. I have just received yours by Mr. Livingston. I approve exceedingly of your plan, if it can be done without risk of weakening your present post, which might facilitate the escape of the garrison. Col. BEDEL. RICHARD MONTGOMERY. CAMP NEAR ST. JOHNS, Sept. 28, 1775. SIR:-I have just been favored with yours. You do not tell me how many men you have. I should imagine you were sufficiently strong. However, I send you to-morrow, according to your desire, Easton's regiment. I shall send you money by that opportunity. You have nothing to do but send for money when you want it. This I have told you before. I don't know which is the oldest officer, you or Colonel Easton. Should he be eldest, you will impart to him all such instructions as you have received. I would wish you to keep a good officer and party on the other side, to watch the garrison when they attempt to retire. It is much more probable they will march on that side than on yours, where the difficulties to encounter are much greater. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Col. BEDEL, north side St. Johns. RICHARD MONTGOMERY. CAMP NEAR ST. JOHNS, Sept. 29, 1775. SIR:-The young gentleman who brought up the rum to your post some days since, promised to get a quantity of necessaries for our men. When he arrives, or if they can be gotten at La Prairie, those who are absolutely in want of them must have them; but it must be on credit for some time, or for Continental money, as the hard money must be kept to pay for provisions. You will please order your detached parties to send in their accounts soon, that I may see how money is laid out, for I think it goes away fast. Cannot Mr. Phelps discharge the contractor's business at all the posts, that I may have accounts on this head only with one person? I must observe to you that I understood from you, at Ticonderoga, that your men were completely equipped for the field. I do not know what footing the troops of your province are on. I shall, therefore, be obliged to make a charge against New Hampshire for any money advanced to them, till I shall have received instructions from the Continental Congress. If there are any stores still remaining of those taken by Major Brown let me have a return of them, that I may give orders for their distribution. I am, sir, with anxious wishes for your success, Col. BEDEL, north side St. Johns. RICHARD MONTGOMERY. (ENDORSED.) The Canadians complain that your Commissary treats them roughly. The General desires that they may be kindly treated, and those employed supplied with provisions. JOHN MACPHERSON, Aid-de-Camp. CAMP NEAR ST. JOHNS, Oct. 2, 1775. SIR-Last night I received yours. The cannon shall be ready this evening, if you will send a party for them to go down in the boat, as also the ammunition. They may go down with the greatest safety from the enemy. We had a whale-boat with a few men landed the other night at Mr. Robinson's house, and brought away the glass-doors—a proof that they had no look-out on the water. The mutiny of the Canadians I treat as a joke, nor do I see how two pieces of cannon should change their minds, if it were so. I wait for a large mortar and a considerable reinforcement, to take post on a hill to the westward, with most of my artillery, in order to destroy their defences and make my approaches. The troops must now be on their way. The report of Arnold's arrival at Quebec seems to gain ground. I think it extremely probable. I imagine it will throw a damp on the people of Montreal. Let a small party, if possible, be kept at Longueille. Do send me a keg or two of wine. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Col. BEDEL, north side St. Johns. RICHARD MONTGOMERY. CAMP SOUTH SIDE ST. JOHNS, Oct. 4, 1775. SIR: To the best of my recollection, I have already answered you on the subject of provision for the Canadians. Those who are our friends must certainly be supported. Any guns you can purchase you will deliver to such Canadians as may be depended upon, taking a receipt for the delivery of them. It will be necessary to be upon your guard against imposition, otherwise a man may sell you his own gun and obtain it from you again by the intervention of a friend. You must therefore consult Captain Dugan or Mr. Livingston, or some other person acquainted with the parties concerned. You may send the sick you mention when you please. I wish you would send some rum and some wine for the sick. The expedition against the schooner did not succeed. I hope you got the boat our people let go down the rapids. I am, sir, your most obedient servant, Col. BEDEL, north side St. Johns. RICHARD MONTGOMERY. LA PRAIRIE, Oct. 4, 1775. SIR-After due regards, I have found but one hogshead of rum at this place for sale, which costs four livres per gallon by the hogshead, which is the highest price I ever gave for rum in my life; but knowing the necessity of the army, I have bought the same. You know that I had no money when I left your camp-I am stayed as a pledge for the same. Please to let the General know it, and send me some money by some good man, as I may never go off the ground until I pay for the same. Also our army there want some supplies, and our camp will soon want. I am going to Longueille to buy some more rum, if I can find it. I shall be glad of haste in this affair, and you will oblige, Col. BEDEL. Your humble servant at command, NOAH PHELPS. |